STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

iFrom Our Own Correspondent ) LAII communications, letters, etc, left with Mr. 11. J. llopkir.s, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] Stratford, May 31. CfffAROK Oh' ASSAULT. Sid. Selwood, represented by Mr. J. 5, .Stanford, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Ernest Heal (Mr. Thomson) On the 2l>th inst. Messrs C. D. Sole and J.M'Cluggage, J.'sP., were on the bench. Mr. Thomson stated that Heal, a returned soldier, was a taxi-driver, as aiso vas Selwood- On the 20th inst- Heal was instructed to motor out some workers to Cardiff. He arrived at the Commercial Hotel at fl p.m., and obtained the swags of his passengers, which he placed in the car. Whilst waiting for the passengers, Selwood also drove up in his car, and immediately assaulted Heal, striking, him several blows, and also used bad language. Heal, although challenged to light, refused to do so, and !>aeked away. Selwood kept following up plaintiff, striking him and using bad language. Mr. Rowe, court officer, arrived, and separated the men, Heal continuing his journey. The assault was absolutely unprovoked and unjustified, plaintiff having given no cause for such treatment.

Mr. Stanford, whilst admitting the assault, said there had previously been bad feeling existing between the men, and tlie Saturday previous to the Monday, '2otili, there had been troulble. He maintained that both werv partly to blameThe Bench inflicted a fine of £l, with costs ( &i Cs). A. AND P. CONCERT AND DANCE. It was confidently anticipated that the entertainment promoted under the above auspices would prove a success, but the results exceeded expectations, it being admitted to bo the best amateur programme staged in the Town Hall. Besides selling a large number of tickets, tiie takings at the door exceeded £SO, and before time for starting the police had to stop the s ale of tickets. Variety was a feature of the programme, and encores prolonged the entertainment till quite a late hour- The Wanganui soapstress (Miss Rono Kino) scored a great success in her items, "111 Braceio," 'April Morn," and "Parter,' and the same remark applied to Mrs. M'Laren's "Love's Own Kiss" and "Rosa"; Mrs. Massey's "Ave Maria"; and Miss Sangster's "Thank God for a Garden" and "Wake Up." As was to be expected, the Native singer, the Rev. Papapakura, scored a triumph, his numibers being "In the Springtime," "Love's Golden Hour," "I Heard a Thrush at Eve," and "Oh, Dry Those Those Tears"; Mr. Walters sang "King of the Night" and "Bells of Peace," and, with Mr. T. Ranford, took part in the duet "The Moon Bath Raised Her Lamp Above" ; a ragtime soloist, Mr. F. Silver, scored heavily in "You Can Kiss Your Hand, Good-bye," and "Tn My Hand";. Mr. Peter Eadie was great in his Scotch and Irish stories, "Sandy's Trip on a Slow Train" and "Mike O'Royle's Faith," convulsing his audience. Mr. T. Roibson scored recalls in his violin solos. Miss Edwards' dancing pupils also proved a popular item, and deserved the recalls accorded them. !M>. Frank Ranford revelled in his work at the piano and story-telling, "War" and the "Vicar's Fancy Ball," and proving quite up to his usual high standard. Mention must be made of the sympathetic work of Mr. C- II- Fox as accompanist. The latter also provided the dance music, the floor being crowded. Headed by Mrs. Boon, the president's wife, the Ladies' Oommittei. worked hard in the supper rooms, putting on an elaborate spread. Last, but not least, the Social Committee and their chairman (Mr. Tom Ranford) deserve more than passing reference for the great care and attention they had given to assure the success of all present.

MINISTERIAL VISIT. The Hon. W. Russell visited Stratford vesterday. He was only here for two hours or so, but managed to crowd a lot of work into it- His first visit was to the hospital, where he was met by Mr. J. M'AUister, chairman of the Hospital 'Board, and other memfbera, Dr. Steven, and others. After an inspection fend a few remarks by the chairman, the Minister expressed his approval of a system of free dental treatment to children. He was sympathetic to the proposed heating of the ward by hot-water system, and also approved of certain suggested improvements to the nurses' quarters, etc. The members were pleased with the promises givenAfter the hospital inspection, the Minister was received by the Mayor (Mr. M'Millan) and councillors, Mr. Kirkwood (War Relief Association), Mr. J. 13. Richards (Ohamlber of Commerce), Mr. R. Masters (Education Board), and others. The council had no "burning questions" to place before their visitor, but the Mayor was very happy in his remarks welcoming tihe Minister.

Mr. Kirkwood touched on several matters concerning tihe settlement of coldiers, and made a comparison of the work accomplished by the Taranaki Association and by the Government. The association aimed at putting the men on the best lands in Taranaki, and had Bet tied 10 men, against 23 by the Government- Considering tihe association had only a limited capital to work on, it showed the association up in much better light than the Government. Mr. R. Masters stressed the need for Government assisting in more closer attention being given to the care of the teeth of school children.

Mr. Hunter touched on the scareiety c» f nitrous oxide gas for dental work. The Minister, aiter appreciating the welcome of tihe Mayor, said it had always been his aim to assist m the settlement of the land. He had always fought for placing men on small holdings, which was the foundation of the prosperity oi any city. He differed somewhat from Mr. Kirkwood, believing that the men should be placed on land at about £6 or so in value, and giving them facilities for other work that would enable them to improve the surroundings and thus, in a few years, secure a much greater value for their labor. Putting them on knd at £SO per acre would prdhaibly mean, in many instances, a millStone for many years. After touching on other matters mentioned by the speakers, an adjournment was made to the County Hotel for dinner, after which Mr. Russell joined the express train for New Plymouth. GENERAL, Whilst putting in a window in Herbert'* huildinrr tii« aftormon. the slow